San Francisco

Launched in 1993

Over the last five years, YWFC San Francisco has been instrumental in San Francisco County’s advances toward shutting down the major juvenile detention center where many of us have been incarcerated. We have organized with directly impacted young people and collaborated with the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors to make sure it is not replaced with another harmful institution.

Our roots are deep in San Francisco as it is where the vision and mission of Young Women’s Freedom Center’s was born. For over three decades now, we have worked hard to end the incarceration and criminalization of young women and trans youth of all genders by hiring and training directly impacted young people to do this work.

sfreferrals@youngwomenfree.org
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“One thing a lot of people don’t realize: empowerment and the ability to do your best work at YWFC requires not only your mental capacity and willingness to work on yourself to support others, but also your logical side – judgment and ability to stand up and speak out for the work we do.”

– Zen (all pronouns) Youth Organizer

“YWFC SF is a place of prosperity where every youth that walks through our doors feels successful when they leave. The greatest thing in life is when YWFC SF gets to help our youth be the successful leaders that they are.”

– Ari (she/her/they) Youth Organizer

Programs in San Francisco

1-1 Self Determination Advocacy

Life Coaching, support, systems navigation, mentorship, and re-entry planning

Access to Education

YWFC partners with Five Keys to provide on-site educational support towards securing high school diplomas and GEDs, and transitioning to community college. We also partner with Dr. Marilyn Jones’ program, Because Black is Still Beautiful to inspire, prepare, and support young people in navigating college and seeking higher education and degrees.

Beyond Survival & Freedom Forward Fellowship

Beyond Survival is a support, leadership and advocacy program for young women and gender-expansive young people who have been exploited and “in the life” – the street economy. Graduates may apply to participate in the paid leadership fellowship.

Community Based Research

Through YWFC’s Freedom Research Institute, young people work to develop and implement Youth Participatory Action Research Projects to inform the work, the field, and policy changes.

Emerging Leaders in Detention

Weekly workshops for young women in juvenile hall and county jail, 1-1 support, and systems advocacy and support.

Freedom Circles

Weekly 2-hour circles grounded in self-determination, positive peer relationships and caring support from self-determination advocates. Our Freedom Circles provide healing and support for young people navigating to stay out of the system. This work includes court support and systems navigation.

Healing & Wellness

YWFC provides access to holistic healing and support for young people to build confidence, agency, and power.

Leadership Fellowship

24-month paid fellowships for young people to advance their skills as community leaders working on behalf of other young people and our communities in Oakland.

Peer-based Outreach, Advocacy, and Crisis Intervention

Peer advocates have been the most successful at finding and engaging young people in YWFC programming through peer-to-peer referrals, community, and street outreach.

Siblings on the Rise

Siblings on the Rise is a paid internship and fellowship that supports young people who have been involved in the juvenile justice system, foster care, welfare, and/or the underground street economies to gain skills to access sustainable employment.

Young Mothers United

Advocacy and support for pregnant and parenting moms to gain knowledge and support to interrupt the cycle of violence and trauma they have experienced and to heal in order to create healthier habits and routines as a parent.

Resources from San Francisco

Resources coming soon!

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Site Staff

Ronesha Pointer

Program Manager of Youth Leadership and Policy